What Is Drama free essay sample

The word drama is derived from the ancient Greek word meaning action. If something is full of action it’s exciting, emotional, it’s unpredictable; it’s dramatic. Drama is a way of expressing or showing a story. Drama can make us feel happy, sad, afraid, superior, and inferior and so on. Drama is the essence of human existence; it’s what makes life worth living for. In modern times we have used the word drama to generally to mean acting and theatre. We have also come to known drama a to over re-act or to be a drama queen. * Forms of Drama Drama is everywhere and in everything we do. The simplest form of drama is life itself. Even though drama covers a large range of categories such as narratives, poems, myths and much more here are the different forms of the drama in a theatrical sense. The most common form of theatrical drama is acting. We will write a custom essay sample on What Is Drama? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Acting is using both voice and movement to assume a character in order to present a story line. Other form of drama is song which includes Opera, another form of drama is dance, pantomime (acting without using your voice and only using facial expressions, gestures and movement) and a less known form of drama called tableau which uses no movement or voice at all (this is used as a reflective time). Though behind all these forms of drama there is one standard factor and that is emotion. Behind every drama there is either a comedy of a tragedy. Drama is either a comic, humorous, light hearted affair or an intense, action packed story of deep emotion. Comedy and Tragedy are the basis of drama and that’s why they are the symbols of it (happy and frowny face) Opera Opera Comedy and Tragedy Comedy and Tragedy History of Theatrical Drama * Origins of Theatrical Drama Exactly when theatrical drama began is a mystery. Prehistoric hunters have been depicted acting out stories of their hunting trips. Ancient Egyptians performed sacred songs and dances and re-enacted mythological stories about their gods in religious ceremonies, but the idea of theatre as dramatic entertainment didn’t arise until later. Drama Performance in Ancient Egypt Drama Performance in Ancient Egypt Hunting story Hunting story * Ancient Theatre The first recorded form of theatre started in Ancient Greece around 600 B. C. Plays were performed at religious festivals honouring the god Dionysus the Greek god of wine and festivities. The first plays were the idea of the Greek poet Thespis. Thespis was the father of tragic drama and both wrote and performed in plays about the heroic adventures of demigods (half mortal, half god) such as Hercules and his 12 labours. Greek plays were performed in an amphitheatre. When the Romans took over they greatly embraced the Greek culture using many Greek plays but translated into Latin. Comedy plays were more popular with crude humour. Actors performed in masks with greatly emphasised expressions. Masks Used in Ancient Roman Theatre Masks Used in Ancient Roman Theatre Ancient Greek Amphitheatre Ancient Greek Amphitheatre * Medieval Theatre In Medieval times theatre buildings and performances as such weren’t permitted but traveling shows called minstrels were all the rage. Minstrel performances included acrobats, puppeteers, jugglers and story tellers. Christians at the time started their own type of theatre where priests would act out the miracles of Christ and the performance of the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday. * Renaissance Theatre La Commedia DellArte La Commedia DellArte William Shakespeare William Shakespeare During the 14th to 17th centuries Europe started to embrace the arts again. We now call this era the Renaissance. Along with the arts drama came with it and the theatre once more was strong. In Italy a major influence of theatre was the ‘La Commedia Dell’Arte’ or in English ‘Professional Comedy’. This was a travelling road show which used no improvised script and masked characters created a comical story line just thinking it up on the spot. Queen Elizabeth I strongly believed in the theatre. During Elizabethan times the most famous playwright started his career. Born in 1564, William Shakespeare was an actor and poet who wrote many famous plays such as ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Hamlet’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’; these plays are still studied and performed all over the world today. * Kabuki Theatre Kabuki Theatre Performance Kabuki Theatre Performance Originating in Japan in the 1600’s Kabuki theatre is a form of Japanese theatre which is still performed today. The plays are based on Japanese legends and what is significant about it is that the show opens and closes with the sound of wood clapping together, the constant playing of the starmisen (the Japanese three stringed guitar) and how throughout the performance the actors freeze in their position after every scene in order to create reflection. The actors in a Kabuki performance wear colourful Actor wearing kimono and white makeup Actor wearing kimono and white makeup Japanese clothing (kimonos etc. ) and heavy makeup. Modern Theatre * Basis of Modern Drama Modern Theatrical Drama is such a large spectrum of entertainment. In today’s society drama is split into two forms, realism and modernism. Realism is drama which expresses real life situations and beliefs and represents problems and issues in current society. Modernism is drama based on culture which is stories and fantasy with issues and scenes not common in the real world. Modern day drama is a very vast spectrum covering the circus to street mimes, from YouTube videos to cartoons but the two most popular forms of modern drama are drama through live musical theatre and drama through pre-staged T. V and movies. * Drama through Live Musical Theatre Musical Drama is the theatre performance of telling a story with the aids of music, song and dance as well as the much needed acting. Musical theatre has always been around but it really blossomed in the 1930’s. At this time the great depression was a foot and people needed some cheering up so many went to see musicals such as ‘Paint My Wagon’ and ‘West Side Story’. Through the 1900’s many memorable plays were staged such as Oklahoma! , My Fair Lady, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls and many more. Musical theatre in the 21st century is a respected art with theatre across the globe with New York known as the capitol of musical theatre on Broadway. Musical s today include Wicked, Mary Poppins, Jersey Boys and Hairspray. OKLAHOMA! The Musical OKLAHOMA! The Musical Jersey Boys the Musical Jersey Boys the Musical * Drama through T. V and Movies As television took over the world and became the primary source of entertainment drama obliged creating new forms of drama using the T. V. Genre related dramas are on T. V which are dramas with a story line specifying to certain type of audience who like a certain genre are everywhere, some include medical dramas such as Grey’s Anatomy and the more recent type of genre related dramas called Vampire dramas e. g. The Vampire Diaries. Another form of T. V drama are Soap Operas which are long running T. V sagas centred around a family or town which tells the dramatic, unsuspecting, never ending series of events. Examples include The Days of Our Lives (45 years), the Bold and the Beautiful (25 years) and the Young and the Restless (40 years). Another form of Drama is Reality Drama. Reality T. V is a show where ordinary people go on with no rehearsed script and usually have to perform a task. This is considered the most popular form of T. V Drama today examples include Master chef, The Biggest Loser, Survivor, the Amazing Race etc. Movies are also a form of Drama believe it or not; from ‘Finding Nemo’ to ‘The Notebook’ all movies are a form of drama. The Biggest Loser: T. V Weight Loss Reality Drama The Biggest Loser: T. V Weight Loss Reality Drama Like Sand through the Hour-Glass So Are the Days of Our Lives Like Sand through the Hour-Glass So Are the Days of Our Lives The Elements of Drama The Character: A Character is simply a person who appears in the play to tell the story. Most plays contain major characters and minor characters. The development of major characters is essential to the play; the play revolves around the story of the major character. In a play a character is either a protagonist or an antagonist, so basically good guys and bad guys. The protagonist goes through with the plot and the antagonist try’s to stop him or vice versa. The Character: A Character is simply a person who appears in the play to tell the story. Most plays contain major characters and minor characters. The development of major characters is essential to the play; the play revolves around the story of the major character. In a play a character is either a protagonist or an antagonist, so basically good guys and bad guys. The protagonist goes through with the plot and the antagonist try’s to stop him or vice versa. The Plot and Scene: The Plot is the events that makes up the story told in the play. The plot is the story centred on the main character. The plot has an Orientation (the beginning introductory to describe the scene and setting), a Complication (a problem that arises), Sequence of Events (a series of events which lead up to), a Climax (the height of the story, the most exciting and suspenseful bit, usually the confrontation between hero and villain) a Resolution (the answer to the problem) and a Coda (a moral or lesson taught by the story). The Scene is basically the setting or the ‘geography’ in which the play is set so for example in the play ‘The Sound of Music’ it is set in Austria so the scene is the hilly meadows and mountains of Austria and the von Trapp House. The Plot and Scene: The Plot is the events that makes up the story told in the play. The plot is the story centred on the main character. The plot has an Orientation (the beginning introductory to describe the scene and setting), a Complication (a problem that arises), Sequence of Events (a series of events which lead up to), a Climax (the height of the story, the most exciting and suspenseful bit, usually the confrontation between hero and villain) a Resolution (the answer to the problem) and a Coda (a moral or lesson taught by the story). The Scene is basically the setting or the ‘geography’ in which the play is set so for example in the play ‘The Sound of Music’ it is set in Austria so the scene is the hilly meadows and mountains of Austria and the von Trapp House. Theme and Genre: The plot has been called the body of a play and the theme has been called its soul. Most plays have a conflict of some kind between individuals, between man and society, man and some superior force or man and himself. The theme in a play is the issues and matters raised through the story. A general theme in a love story might be love conquers all and that is what a theme is; the basic underline of what the play is about. A Genre is the style or type of interest the play is written around. Every form of drama has a genre whether it is comedy, romance, mystery, horror or anything else; people go to see things they are interested in. If you’re favourite genre is fantasy you’ll go see a theatre performance which contains magic and dragons, if you prefer crime genre you’ll watch a movie about and murder mystery and forensic scientists. Theme and Genre: The plot has been called the body of a play and the theme has been called its soul. Most plays have a conflict of some kind between individuals, between man and society, man and some superior force or man and himself. The theme in a play is the issues and matters raised through the story. A general theme in a love story might be love conquers all and that is what a theme is; the basic underline of what the play is about. A Genre is the style or type of interest the play is written around. Every form of drama has a genre whether it is comedy, romance, mystery, horror or anything else; people go to see things they are interested in. If you’re favourite genre is fantasy you’ll go see a theatre performance which contains magic and dragons, if you prefer crime genre you’ll watch a movie about and murder mystery and forensic scientists. Dialogue: A Dialogue a conversation between characters in a play or in any literary work. Dialogue brings characters to life by revealing their personalities and by showing what they are thinking and feeling as they react to other characters. Within dialogue there are different types of speech given different names. One type of speech used in dialogue is a soliloquy. A soliloquy is a long speech delivered by a character that is alone onstage. A soliloquy typically reveals the private thoughts and emotions of the character. Another form of speech is an aside. An aside is a comment made by a character, but is not heard by the other characters onstage. Dialogue: A Dialogue a conversation between characters in a play or in any literary work. Dialogue brings characters to life by revealing their personalities and by showing what they are thinking and feeling as they react to other characters. Within dialogue there are different types of speech given different names. One type of speech used in dialogue is a soliloquy. A soliloquy is a long speech delivered by a character that is alone onstage. A soliloquy typically reveals the private thoughts and emotions of the character. Another form of speech is an aside. An aside is a comment made by a character, but is not heard by the other characters onstage. Convention: A dramatic convention is a set of rules, which both the audience and actors are familiar with and which act as a useful way of quickly signifying the nature of the action or of a character. All forms of theatre have dramatic conventions, some of which may be unique to that particular form, such as the poses used by actors in Japanese kabuki theatre to establish a character or the moustache twirling villain in early cinema serials. A convention is known by the audience, it is a significant movement, sound or gesture which displays the characters intentions or who they are. Convention: A dramatic convention is a set of rules, which both the audience and actors are familiar with and which act as a useful way of quickly signifying the nature of the action or of a character. All forms of theatre have dramatic conventions, some of which may be unique to that particular form, such as the poses used by actors in Japanese kabuki theatre to establish a character or the moustache twirling villain in early cinema serials. A convention is known by the audience, it is a significant movement, sound or gesture which displays the characters intentions or who they are. Audience: Theatre requires an audience. For all of the arts public is essential. The physical presence of an audience can change a performance, inspire actors, and create expectations. Theatre is a living breathing art form. The presence of live actors on the stage in front of live audiences sets it apart from modern day films and television. Audience: Theatre requires an audience. For all of the arts public is essential. The physical presence of an audience can change a performance, inspire actors, and create expectations. Theatre is a living breathing art form. The presence of live actors on the stage in front of live audiences sets it apart from modern day films and television. Stage Craft (Visual Elements): The Stage craft also known as the visual elements deals with the scenes, costumes and special effects used in it. The visual element of drama renders a visual appeal to it. The costumes worn by the artists must suit the characters they are playing. Besides, it is important for the scenes to be dramatic enough to hold the audiences to their seats. The special effects used in a play add to the visual appeal. Thus, the stage craft forms an essential component of drama. Stage Craft (Visual Elements): The Stage craft also known as the visual elements deals with the scenes, costumes and special effects used in it. The visual element of drama renders a visual appeal to it. The costumes worn by the artists must suit the characters they are playing. Besides, it is important for the scenes to be dramatic enough to hold the audiences to their seats. The special effects used in a play add to the visual appeal. Thus, the stage craft forms an essential component of drama. SO AFTER ALL THAT WHAT IS DRAMA USED FOR? Drama is used as an expression of human emotion; it is the life and soul of life and without drama life wouldn’t be worth living for. In a theatrical sense drama is used as way to entertain any audience with any type of favourite drama. In theatre drama is a living and breathing force which feeds on the expression and the emotions given by the audience after the dramatic performance has been displayed. Drama is used as a general living tool and great form of both comic and tragic entertainment. By Anthony Pagano. Top 10 Dramas in the Past 100 Years Cats: Cats is a musical directed by the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber. Cats is about the life of cats and the politics of cats. It is the second longest running musical in History. Cats: Cats is a musical directed by the famous Andrew Lloyd Webber. Cats is about the life of cats and the politics of cats. It is the second longest running musical in History. Oliver! : The Musical adaptation of the book Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens is about an orphan who runs away from an orphanage and hooks up with a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor. Oliver! : The Musical adaptation of the book Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens is about an orphan who runs away from an orphanage and hooks up with a group of boys trained to be pickpockets by an elderly mentor. The Wizard Of Oz: The timeless classic about a girl named Dorothy Gale who is swept away to a magical land named Oz in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home. On her way she meets the brainless scarecrow, the heartless tin-man and the cowardly lion. The Wizard Of Oz: The timeless classic about a girl named Dorothy Gale who is swept away to a magical land named Oz in a tornado and embarks on a quest to see the Wizard who can help her return home. On her way she meets the brainless scarecrow, the heartless tin-man and the cowardly lion. The Phantom of the Opera: The Phantom of the Opera is another musical/opera directed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is about a woman who falls in love with a phantom. The Phantom of the Opera: The Phantom of the Opera is another musical/opera directed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is about a woman who falls in love with a phantom. Please Sir, May I Have Some More Please Sir, May I Have Some More My Fair Lady: The story of a snobbish linguistics professor who agrees to a wager that he can take a flower girl and make her presentable in high society. My Fair Lady: The story of a snobbish linguistics professor who agrees to a wager that he can take a flower girl and make her presentable in high society. Romeo amp; Juliet: The timeless love story written by William Shakespeare about the forbidden love of Romeo and Juliet whose love is torn apart due to their feuding families and the sad but memorable ending. Romeo amp; Juliet: The timeless love story written by William Shakespeare about the forbidden love of Romeo and Juliet whose love is torn apart due to their feuding families and the sad but memorable ending. The Rocky Horror Show: The comedy/horror musical about a newly engaged couple who stumble into a house where an evil scientist reveals his creation of life through a muscle man named Rocky Horror. After staying the night the couple discovers that the evil scientist and all the people in the house are really transsexual aliens whose main purpose is to mate with all humans on earth both male and female. Yuck! The Rocky Horror Show: The comedy/horror musical about a newly engaged couple who stumble into a house where an evil scientist reveals his creation of life through a muscle man named Rocky Horror. After staying the night the couple discovers that the evil scientist and all the people in the house are really transsexual aliens whose main purpose is to mate with all humans on earth both male and female. Yuck! West Side Story: Set in New York City in the mid-1950s, the musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The members of the Sharks from Puerto Rico are taunted by the Jets, a white working-class group. Forbidden love occurs when Tony, one of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. West Side Story: Set in New York City in the mid-1950s, the musical explores the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The members of the Sharks from Puerto Rico are taunted by the Jets, a white working-class group. Forbidden love occurs when Tony, one of the Jets, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks. Grease: This musical, directed by Jim Jacobs, was set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School; it follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love, cars, and drive-ins. This musical was later turned into a hit film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. Grease: This musical, directed by Jim Jacobs, was set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School; it follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love, cars, and drive-ins. This musical was later turned into a hit film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. The Sound of Music: The Sound Music is a Musical and film based on the memoirs of Maria von Trapp. The story is set around WWII in Austria it is about a nun in training named Maria who is sent to the von Trapp family to be the governess for Mr. von Trapp’s seven children. The Sound of Music: The Sound Music is a Musical and film based on the memoirs of Maria von Trapp. The story is set around WWII in Austria it is about a nun in training named Maria who is sent to the von Trapp family to be the governess for Mr. von Trapp’s seven children.